Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the weekly NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Sleeper alert features an under-the-radar player who could produce good numbers. Owners beware features a regular fantasy starter who could fail to meet expectations based on the strength of his opponent. Obvious fantasy starters like Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson will not be featured. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Josh Gordon at Green Bay Packers: Over the last four weeks, a mere three wide receivers have scored more fantasy points than Gordon. The explosive playmaker out of Baylor should continue to shine against the Packers, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points (28.04 PPG) to opposing wideouts after their first five contests. (Maximum value: Mid WR1)
Start 'em
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Justin Blackmon vs. San Diego Chargers: There hasn't been a better wide receiver based on points over the last two weeks than Blackmon, who has recorded a combined 19 catches for 326 yards with one score in that time. His success should continue against a Chargers defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers. (Maximum value: Mid WR1)
Mike Wallace vs. Buffalo Bills: Wallace hasn't been consistent at all in the stat sheets, leaving fantasy owners wondering whether to start him or keep him on the bench. This is a good week to activate him, though, as the Bills have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (32.45 PPG) to opposing wide receivers on the road this season. (Maximum value: High WR2)
T.Y. Hilton vs. Denver Broncos: There's a good chance the Broncos-Colts contest on Sunday night could turn into a track meet, and that's positive news for a wideout like Hilton. No team has allowed more fantasy points (40.45 PPG) to opposing receivers on the road than Denver, so start the Florida International product as a No. 2/3 fantasy wideout. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Sleeper alert - Keenan Allen at Jacksonville Jaguars: Allen has been on fire, recording a combined 222 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks -- that's good for 34.20 fantasy points. He should remain in starting lineups against the Jaguars, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wideouts in the last four weeks. (Maximum value: Low WR1)
Sit of the week
Andre Johnson at Kansas City Chiefs: Johnson is tough to bench, and you shouldn't do it unless you have viable alternatives. But keep in mind that the quarterback position in Houston is a mess (rookie Case Keenum is starting), and the Chiefs field one of the toughest defenses in the entire league. That makes A.J. a risk to post mediocre numbers this week. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Sit 'em
Anquan Boldin at Tennessee Titans: Boldin opened the season on fire with a 26.80-fantasy point performance against the Green Bay Packers. Since then, he has scored seven-plus fantasy points just once. This week he faces the Titans, who have surrendered the fewest fantasy points (10.13 PPG) to wide receivers at home this season. (Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Dwayne Bowe vs. Houston Texans: Over the last four weeks, a total of 57 wide receivers have scored more fantasy points than Bowe. 57! His fortunes aren't likely to change against the Texans, who have surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points (13.5 PPG) to wideouts on the road. Keep Bowe on your fantasy bench until further notice. (Maximum value: Low WR3)
Steve Johnson at Miami Dolphins: Johnson (back) is expected to be back in the lineup this week, but he's a tough sell in fantasy. With Thad Lewis throwing him the ball and a tough matchup against the Dolphins, who have allowed an average of fewer than 16 fantasy points per game at home, Johnson is better left on the bench in most leagues. (Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Owners beware - Torrey Smith at Pittsburgh Steelers: Smith is coming off an awful stat line against the Green Bay Packers, and this week's matchup against the Steelers and CB Ike Taylor isn't an attractive one. In two games against them last season, Smith was held to a combined four catches for 40 yards. Start Smith with caution if you must keep him active. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
